The University of Florida Gators have reclaimed their place at the top of the college basketball world, securing the NCAA men’s basketball championship in a dramatic victory over the University of Houston.
Playing before a packed crowd of 66,602 at the Alamodome on Monday night, the Gators staged a comeback, ultimately defeating Houston by a score of 65-63.
The game started with Houston, known for their strong defense and physical style of play, taking control. This resulted in a low-scoring first half, the lowest-scoring in a men’s national title game since 2011.
READ: UConn Wins 12th National Title With Rout Of South Carolina
However, with approximately seven minutes remaining in the game, the Gators’ offense ignited. Walter Clayton Jr., who was held scoreless in the first half, became a key factor, driving past Houston’s defense to score his first basket.
Florida steadily chipped away at Houston’s lead and took their first lead since early in the game with only 46 seconds left on the clock. A subsequent defensive stop and a crucial free throw, followed by a final Houston turnover, sealed the Gators’ heart-stopping victory. In total, Florida held the lead for just over a minute in the entire game.
Will Richard contributed 18 points to the Gators’ effort, while Alex Condon added 12. Clayton, who finished with 11 points in the championship game after scoring 30 and 34 points in previous tournament games, was named the Most Outstanding Player.
This victory marks the Gators’ third NCAA men’s basketball championship, following their back-to-back wins in 2006 and 2007.
READ: Sun Shining On Ryan Pruitt During His First Season At USF
Adding to the significance of the night, Florida’s former coach during those championship runs, Billy Donovan, was present at the game and honored for his upcoming induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2025.
Gators coach Todd Golden, 39, achieved a notable milestone, becoming the youngest men’s basketball coach to win an NCAA title since Jim Valvano in 1983.
“We did what we did all year. We stayed the course,” Golden said after the game. “We’ve had to come back quite a bit this tournament but these guys have been elite with their composure and our young guys in the front court fight like hell for these seniors every day. They compete and they find a way to win. They are winners.”
Florida, a No. 1 seed in the tournament, was part of a record-setting 14 teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to participate in the men’s tournament.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
